
Common Dishwasher Issues & How to Fix Them
As the Appliance Repair Proline team would say, a dishwasher is a vital part of your everyday life and we understand that perfectly well. It is a device that uses less water, saves your valuable time and makes your kitchen work efficient and effortless. Unfortunately, when your dishwasher is malfunctioning, it definitely is not saving your time but actually increasing your frustration exponentially. The good news is that common dishwasher issues are easy to diagnose and fix without a technician. Here we will explain to you the main causes and solutions of these problems.
The dishwasher does not receive power.
A refusal of the dishwasher to switch on is one of the most common dishwasher issues with the device. If the unit has no power, the breaker has tripped, or the door latch fails to close, the dishwasher will not start. The issue may be with the control panel as well sometimes. To prevent a service call, you should always ensure that the dishwasher is properly plugged, the circuit breaker is turned on and the door latches are tightened. In case the control panel still fails to operate, it is time to call in service technician.
Dishwasher Not Draining
It is not unusual to find standing water in the bottom of a dishwasher following a wash. Most cases of standing water come from a blocked drain hose, a clogged filter, or a faulty drain pump. Cleaning the filter and removing food debris often restores proper drainage. Inspect the drain hose in case of bends and clogs that limit the flow of water. When your dishwasher connects to a garbage disposal, running it clears jams and improves drainage.
Dishes Aren’t Getting Clean
Food residues in the spray arms or a dirty filter often cause dishes to come out poorly washed. Detach the spray arms and rinse them with warm water to remove any stoppings. Make the filter clean regularly so that food particles do not accumulate and recirculate.
Moreover, you can run hot water in the sink just before turning on the dishwasher. In this way, the device will be filled with water of the right temperature. The use of the correct detergent and the loading of the dishwasher with an appropriate number of dishes will be beneficial in achieving cleanliness.
Dishwasher water leaks
Leaks are one of the issues that most of the time make people who have homes very angry. When water is dripping onto the floor during or after a wash cycle it is generally a case of a door gasket being worn, hose connections being loose, or the dishes being loaded incorrectly. It is a good idea to stop the leaks by changing gaskets that are damaged and tightening hose fittings. Besides that, overloading the dishwasher or blocking the spray arms may also lead to water leaking out. In this way, you can try to avoid problems by organizing your dishes properly.
Dishwasher Won’t Start
When your dishwasher does not start, first check that it connects to a power source and that the fuse is intact. The door latch is another thing that most people do not consider but when you cannot close the door the dishwasher does not run.
If the power and the latch are working, then check the control panel for wear or damage. You can confirm this by looking at it closely.
Most of the time, it will be necessary to replace a broken door latch or change the location of the breaker in order to reconnect the appliance to the power system.

The Unpleasant Dishwasher Smell
Among the most common unpleasant experiences that people have been complaining about is, naturally, unpleasant smell in their dish washer. In addition, the odor of musty or rotten may be the result of the accumulated food, moulds or stagnant water. To remove dishwasher odours, run a cleaning cycle with vinegar or baking soda. Wipe down the seals and edges, and leave the door slightly open between uses.
While many of these problems can be solved with simple maintenance, electrical faults, pump failures, or control board issues should be left to trained technicians. Attempting complex repairs without expertise can cause further damage or void warranties. At Appliance Repair Proline, we recommend regular maintenance—such as cleaning filters monthly, checking hoses, and running a vinegar rinse every few weeks—to extend your dishwasher’s lifespan and prevent costly repairs.
Proline, Provide Fast Dishwasher Service at the Best Price
